Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers National Conference Report!

Dear Fellow LEOs:

I got back late Monday from the annual Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) 2010 National Conference in Gulfport (MS) and I’m still pumped! What an awesome time in the Lord and in fellowship with other Christian warriors from all over the United States and Canada. This year’s conference coincided with both 9/11 and the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. FCPO members responded in force to Gulfport to assist and come alongside both area law enforcement and the community in general. As such, having the conference in Gulfport was a powerful opportunity to reconnect with those we served. I also returned truly humbled after being called to serve as FCPO's new national board Vice President. I’ll brief our locals and visitors during Thursday’s meeting and will post a full recap in next week’s newsletter for all those on our growing world-wide mailing list (don’t forget to pass it on to others on YOUR lists). In the mean time, retired Chicago PD Lt. Chuck Urgo and fellow FCPO board member has posted some pics from the conference on his Shutterfly site: http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=3d7856b961a04388&sid=0AZt2Tdw1ZM2TC8A.

Last week the Holy Spirit led me to move in a direction somewhat away from my prepared message. While I still presented a profession-relevant teaching that had a direct correlation to 9/11, I felt strongly that God was calling us to an extended time of prayer and repentance concerning some of the very heavy things we are dealing with both locally and nationally. It was in fact a very moving time in the Lord!

My 9/11 message – entitled “Let’s Roll” -- the battle cry begun by Todd Beamer on United Flight 93 – is a biblical call to action based in part on the heroic response of those who stood in the gap that fateful September day in 2001. Was allowing the 9/11 attacks part of God’s plan? Was Todd Beamer – a solid, non-fence riding born-again believer -- called by God that day for such a time as this (Esther 4:14; see also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MULx5ORrtdo) on 09/11/01)? The answer is an unequivocal “YES!” Todd “ran to the battle” in obedience to God’s plan and purpose for his life. While not a cop by profession, Todd was every bit the warrior that God is calling us – YOU and I -- to be today. Moreover, I believe that 9/11 – what we now call Patriot Day --should be a continual wake-up call to be on our knees for our country in accordance with II Chronicles 7:14 (If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.).

As peace officers, God is also calling us to be prepared physically, tactically and SPIRITUALLY to face evil. Reference the latter, Stacie Ruth Stoelting, in her article, Post 9/11 Generation: Let’s Roll (http://www.cbn.com/family/youth/stoelting_9-11.aspx), gives us seven main points about being spiritually "battle ready" to deal with terrorism -- a perhaps perhaps unintended nexus to those of us serving in the military and law enforcement:

(1) We need to prepare: We need to get ready for our future by staying connected with our churches, Christian friends, and, most of all, Jesus Christ. We need to arm ourselves with the ammunition of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6.)

(2) We need to be wise: For the Post 9/11 Generation, the following verse means a lot: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, NASB) We need to think like the terrorists (i.e. preventing the recent British plot) and then overcome them with a good plan. Wisdom dictates our battle tactics.

(3) We need to fight evil with good: We need to overcome evil. We need to do what God said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21, NIV). Through prayer, preparation, and unity, a lot can be done.

(4) We need to focus: In order to do good things, we need to be focused on our God, who is completely good. He is our loving Heavenly Father who is holy, just, and wise. God alone is the One to Whom we submit our life’s finals for grades. It is only through Jesus Christ alone that we’ll get our A+’s on our life’s finals! He deserves our dedication.

(5) We need to rededicate: That’s why this Post 9/11 Generation must rededicate this country to Christ. We need to become lawyers, politicians, entertainers, managers, and founders of missions so that we can infiltrate the entire scope of America’s culture.

(6) We need to worship: After all, our Boss and Leader is our Heavenly Father Who cares for us. Jehovah-Jireh provides for us. With those provisions, we need to work for God and God alone. This is how: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV). Our lives need to be full of acts of worship as we work for Him.

(7) We need to stand strong for Christ: Only when we stand strong for Christ will we truly stand strong for America. Let’s make our kids and grandkids proud. Let’s teach them not only about 9/11, but also about how our faith-filled lives made America greater. With Christ, we can make America greater. Let’s do it.

What about you? Are you ready? Are you willing? Get right with Christ today and let’s roll in HIS service!

See also: Romans 8:28-39 and “Where was God on September 11th?” -- http://www.gotquestions.org/9-11.html.


ANNOUNCEMENTS: I’ve posted the latest prayer requests and local meeting schedule in the next post here on our website. Check back frequently for the latest! In addition, take a moment to review the following:

(1) In addition to being a Park County (CO) deputy, David “DJ” Hannigan is also both a strong believer and an amazing wildlife/nature photographer. His work has been published in a wide variety of print media and he will email his work for FREE to anyone who asks. Interested in seeing some incredible Colorado wildlife and nature shots? Shoot DJ an email at hannigan_d@msn.com and ask him to add you to the list.

(2) Trooper Glen Hunter Benefit! EPD Officer Jason Pearson sent the following announcement: “Join us on October 2, 2010 for a spaghetti fund raiser dinner for Colorado State Patrol Trooper Technician Glen Hunter and his family. Glen has been receiving several medical treatments since May for a serious health condition. With these treatments Glen has incurred extensive medical expenses. The dinner will be held between 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Building 100 at the Colorado State Patrol Academy, 15055 S. Golden Rd. The cost of the dinner is $6.00 per person. Please help to show your support for Glen and his family by attending the dinner. If you are unable to attend, donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank under Glen Hunter’s name and account #5053650577. All proceeds will help assist Glen and his family with the medical expenses. Call (303) 239-4538 for additional info.

Let's keep Glen in prayer as well.


ANOTHER L.E. BIBLE STUDY GROUP!

El Paso County (CO) S.O. Dep. Greg Maxwell leads a LEO Bible study in the Colorado Springs area that meets every-other-Friday night. Anyone interested can reach Greg by emailing him at lawenforcement@rmcalvary.org and ask him to add you to his email list.

A major goal of this ministry is to encourage officers to meet for Bible study and positive peer fellowship. See our FCPO site (http://www.fcpo.org/, http://www.fcpo.org/locations.html, and http://www.fcpo.org/links.html) and Dep. Mike Dye’s PeaceKeepers site (http://christianlawenforcement.com/ ) to find a group near you. Not one in your area? Email me at fullarmor911@yahoo.com and we’ll show you how to start your own FCPO chapter!

Finally, this study was a reminder that we need to have a sense of urgency in sharing Christ with our fellow officers, family, friends and anyone else who God brings into our lives. That said, if YOU have not yet made a decision for Christ (what it means to turn from your sin and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior) or have fallen away and want to get right with Him today, please contact me and I’ll help you do just that. Our loving Father has a unique plan for YOUR life now and the promise of eternity with Him in heaven than can ONLY come from a personal relationship with His Son. Don’t wait until tomorrow as there are NO second chances once this life ends.

Let’s take care of each other out there!